Sheep Keeping — Frequently Asked Questions

In temperate southeastern Australia on improved pasture, 5 to 8 dry sheep equivalents (DSE) per acre is a conservative sustainable rate. One adult dry sheep is approximately 1 DSE; a ewe with a lamb is 2 DSE; a weaner is 0.8 DSE. In high-rainfall areas on excellent improved pasture, 10+ DSE per acre is achievable. In semi-arid country, 1 to 2 DSE per acre is more realistic. Always stock to your worst seasonal capacity, not your best.

Shearing timing varies by region and the production system, but broadly: spring shearing (September to November) is most common in southern Australia, capturing the spring wool growth before summer and removing the fleece before heat stress risk. Pre-lambing shearing (August or earlier) is used in intensive Merino operations for welfare and management reasons. In northern Australia, shearing timing follows the subtropical seasonal calendar. Shearing contractors book up months in advance in high-demand periods — plan and book early.

Haemonchus contortus (barber's pole worm) is the most economically significant internal parasite of Australian sheep in warm, high-rainfall environments. Management uses FAMACHA scoring (checking inner eyelid colour) to identify anaemic animals for targeted treatment, faecal egg counts to quantify mob-level worm burden and guide drenching decisions, and refugia management (leaving some animals undrenched to dilute resistant worm genetics). Rotate chemical classes and avoid under-dosing — dose to the heaviest animal in the group.

Sheep have a gestation period of approximately 147 days (about 5 months), ranging from 142 to 152 days. Twins are born slightly earlier than singles on average. Most breeds are seasonally polyoestrous, cycling as day length shortens from midsummer — joining in late summer or autumn produces spring lambing. Some breeds, including Poll Dorsets and Dorpers, can breed more year-round.

Sheep require regular observation — at minimum daily in paddock-based systems, more frequently during lambing. They do not require constant shepherding but they cannot be left unobserved for extended periods. Lambing in particular requires daily paddock checks to identify ewes needing assistance, mismothered lambs, and sick or injured animals. A sheep that has been down or separated from the mob for more than 24 hours is likely to be severely unwell.

The standard Australian sheep vaccination program covers the clostridial diseases using a 6-in-1 vaccine (which includes coverage against cheesy gland/CLA in addition to the five main clostridials) given twice initially then annually. Ewes receive their annual booster 4 to 6 weeks before lambing to maximise colostral protection for lambs. In some regions, additional vaccines against erysipelas polyarthritis (a common cause of joint ill in lambs) are recommended — consult your local vet.

Flystrike (blowfly strike) is caused by blowfly larvae infesting breech wool that has been soiled by dag (faeces). Prevention involves: regular dagging (removing dag-soiled wool from the breech), keeping worm burden low to reduce scouring, mulesing in Merino flocks (a controversial but effective permanent prevention), using chemical preventatives (pour-on or spray insecticides applied to the breech area) in high-risk periods, and selecting for breech structure that minimises dag accumulation in replacement animals. Inspect daily in warm, wet weather.

Sheep are primarily grazers — they thrive on short, leafy pasture and are less efficient than goats at utilising browse and coarse material. The foundation of their diet is pasture (typically perennial ryegrass, sub-clover, fescues, or native grasses depending on region), supplemented with hay when pasture is insufficient. Grain supplementation (barley, oats, or pellets) is used in drought feeding, in late pregnancy for twin-bearing ewes, and in growing lambs being finished for market. Introduce grain gradually to prevent acidosis.

Lambing percentage (the number of lambs marked per 100 ewes joined) varies by breed and management: Merinos typically mark 95 to 115% in good seasons; Dorpers and Poll Dorsets can mark 130 to 150%+ with good management; Corriedales sit in between. Twin-bearing ewes require significantly better nutrition in late pregnancy than single-bearing ewes — the risk of pregnancy toxaemia (twin lamb disease) increases sharply in ewes carrying multiples on inadequate nutrition.

Sheep and goats can share paddocks and facilities, and they often coexist without significant problems. However, some management considerations apply: drenching dosages differ (goats need higher doses per kg bodyweight than sheep for most anthelmintics); some vaccines are species-specific; and Johne's disease strains differ between sheep and goats (though there is some cross-species risk). Ensure feed and water access is adequate for both species — goats are more dominant at feeders and may exclude sheep from supplement access in competitive situations.